Science In Pan Flute

Classical Mechanics Level 3

The pan flute or pan pipe is an ancient musical instrument based on the principle of the closed tube, consisting usually of five or more pipes of gradually increasing length. The pan flute is an end-blown flute. Which of the following explanations is correct?

a) The sound of a pan flute is generated by the vibration of tube.
b) The sound generated by a shorter tube has a higher frequency than the sound generated by a longer tube.
c) The speed of the sound generated by a shorter tube is faster than the speed of sound generated by a longer tube.

b) only a) and b) a) only c) only

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Lakshan Dumpa by Lakshan Dumpa , 24, India

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4 solutions

Pranjit Handique
Feb 24, 2014

Sound is produced by the vibration of an air-stream blowing across an open hole at the end of a resonating tube. The formula for calculating the length of a pan flute pipe is L = (c / f) / 4 (From Wikipedia)

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why not a) ....Sound produces by vibration held in flute tube. Isn't it ?

Imrran Akhtar - 7 years, 3 months ago

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because it is the air vibrating not the tube

Pranav Anand - 7 years, 3 months ago

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but is it not possible that the vibrating column of air inside losses some of its energy to the walls of the flute?

kevin thakur - 7 years, 3 months ago

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@Kevin Thakur – That's exactly what I thought!

puzzle seeker - 7 years ago
Anwesha Chattoraj
Feb 28, 2014

The sound is heard due to the standing waves being formed ,not due to the pipe vibrating. Frequency is inversely proportional to length of the resonating tube.

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Open ended tube short tube IE short wavelength means high freq. no big deal :P

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Ak Sharma
Feb 25, 2014

length of flute = L = (c / f) / 4 thereby frequency is inversely proportional to length

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c stands for?

Usama Sattar - 7 years, 3 months ago

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constant

Shravan Jain - 7 years, 3 months ago

c stands for speed of sound

Sanjay SS - 7 years, 3 months ago

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